Cyprus Energy agency - Fedarene

Cyprus – Online Local Energy Balances tool Time period: 2009 - ongoing Theme of collaboration: Concerted strategic planning; Financial mechanism; Modelling, planning, monitoring; Awareness raising and stakeholders involvement

Application: energy efficiency, renewable energy, reduction of CO2 emissions Topic: Cooperation in Regional SEAP design; CoM-related technical support; Awareness initiative

Description The Cyprus Energy Agency, established in 2009, developed an on-line tool called LOCAL ENERGY BALANCES for the calculation of local (municipal and community) Energy Balances in Cyprus (in toe). The use of this tool has been very useful not only for the creation of local baseline emissions inventories, but also in monitoring the impact of the implementation of local Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) measures.

The LOCAL ENERGY BALANCES online tool

It is moreover an important information and transparency tool as it enables citizens who visit the database to follow the total energy consumption (in toe) in their place of residence, with a breakdown by sector and by fuel type.

Context / Background The Cyprus Energy Agency was appointed as the coordinator of Covenant of Mayors (CoM) activities for Cyprus by the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Union of Cyprus Communities. Since 2008 until now, 22 Cyprus municipalities have signed the CoM. For 17 signatories, the Cyprus Energy Agency:  Involves and informs local stakeholders on CoM activities  Collects necessary data, prepares the municipal Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEIs)  Prepares the municipal Sustainable Energy Action Plans  Supports municipalities with the actual SEAP implementation  Supports municipalities with monitoring SEAP implementation using the Local Energy Balances online tool  Supports municipalities with reporting to the CoM

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The Pact of Islands is an initiative similar to the CoM but tailored to the particularities of islands. 15 Cyprus local authorities have signed it and elaborated an Island-SEAP, with the support of the Cyprus Energy Agency (CEA) as well. Again with the support of the Cyprus Energy Agency, 8 municipalities, some involved in parallel in the CoM and/or Pact of Islands, where notably awarded the Energy Efficiency Award ®.

National and Regional Energy and CO2 Balances 39 Municipal Energy and CO2 Balances 355 Communities Energy and CO2 Balances Energy Data collected from 2009 to 2013 list of indicators available

Financing & costs Budget allocated to the 3 parallel initiatives: between € 150,000 and € 200,000, mainly coming from:

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ISLEPACT project co-financed by the European Commission, Directorate General for Energy; MEDEEA project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, MED programme; SEAP+ project co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEE) of the EU; MESHARTILITY, another project co-funded by IEE.

Partners involved – Governance 

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Cyprus Energy Agency: developing local BEIs and SEAPs, supports the implementation and the application of financing sustainable energy projects, management of an Energy Help desk for local households and SMEs All 22 Cyprus local councils: responsible for adopting a SEAP document and then demonstrating their political commitment by proceeding to its implementation Energy teams constituted by representatives from different departments of the local authorities, responsible implementing and monitoring the local Sustainable Energy Action Plan Energy stakeholders involved during the elaboration and the implementation of Local Sustainable Energy Action Plans. Below some of the stakeholders involved: Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment; Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism; Cyprus Association of Renewable Energy Enterprises; Cyprus Association of Renewable Energy Sources investors; Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber; Association of Cyprus Banks; Federation of environmental and ecological organizations of Cyprus; Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA); Environment Commissioner; Terra Cypria; Cyprus Union of Municipalities; Cyprus Union of Communities; Electricity Authority of Cyprus; Frederick University; University of Nicosia.

Results achieved The results from implementing the 22 municipal SEAPs are monitored by the software developed. Between 2009 and 2013:  21% energy reduction  249% increase of local energy production from renewable sources (from 2979 MWh to 10391 MWh)  20 % CO2 reduction. * Note that the decrease in energy demand is not only a result of the implementation of SEAP measures, but also due to the implementation of nation- wide policies and grants, as well as an effect of the global financial crisis on the country.

By working in the framework of the CoM and Pact of Islands, the coordination and coherence between sustainable energy projects promoted by the local authorities was significantly improved. Moreover, stakeholders were better involved in the decision-making process, leading to higher acceptance and needs being better taken into account.

Lessons factors

learned

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Success

The public being informed about the ongoing progress leads to more longterm interest and appropriation of the transition towards sustainable energy. By working under the framework of the CoM and Pact of Islands, the responsibilities of each involved party are clearly defined, which enables a more effective collaboration.

Similar Initiatives – Transferability  Best Practice: Province of Torino, ENERCLOUD software (Italy)

Ενεργειακό Γραφείο Κυπρίων Πολιτών

Contact Cyprus Energy Agency Anthi CHARALAMBOUS, Director [email protected] Savvas VLACHOS, RES/EE Expert [email protected] Website: www.cea.org.cy